ANC STATEMENT ON THE OUTCOMES OF THE NATIONAL WORKING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 12 APRIL 2021

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the ANC met on Monday, 12 April 2021. This was the first NWC meeting after the NEC meeting on 26-29 March 2021. Pursuant to the mandate given to it by rule 13 of the ANC Constitution, to carry out the decisions and instructions of the NEC, the NWC considered reports on progress with implementing decisions of the NEC.

ANC Youth League National Youth Task Team

The NWC welcomed the report from the National Youth Task Team of the ANC Youth League, which has been inducted over the past weekend and started to plan its work.

The NWC expressed its full support for the Task Team, the core main mandate of which is to convene the ANC Youth League National Congress within six months and to build ANC Youth League branches.

The NWC expressed confidence that this will lay the basis for a vibrant and militant Youth League that will unite and lead young men and women in confronting and dealing with the problems that face the youth and to ensure that the youth make a full and rich contribution to the work of the ANC and the life of the nation.

Any outstanding matters related to the composition of the Task Team will be duly attended to and processed accordingly.

ANC Branch Meetings

The NWC was also encouraged by the report that over 185 ANC branches countrywide held their BBGMs over the past weekend. These meetings form part of the ongoing process of ensuring the unity and renewal of the ANC. ANC members will be meeting to discuss issues facing their communities, the unity and renewal of the ANC, and electing Branch Executive Committees (BEC) that will lead their branches for the next two years.

The vast majority of these meetings proceeded peacefully in a spirit of unity and comradeship.

Violence Branch Meetings in Mpumalanga

The NWC expressed its strongest condemnation of the violence that erupted in two ANC Branch Biennial General Meetings (BBGMs) in Mpumalanga over the weekend. The NWC expressed in no uncertain terms that violence has no place in meetings of the organization.

Violence is both a crime and a serious act of misconduct in terms of the ANC Constitution. The perpetrators must be brought to book by the law enforcement agencies and the ANC disciplinary processes must be instituted by the province.

The NEC directed that relevant structures attend to this immediately.

Voter Registration

Many ANC branches across the country also participated in the IEC voter registration drive, in preparation for the 14 by-elections scheduled for 21 May 2021. In preparation for Local Government Elections due later this year, the NWC called upon all South Africans to check their voter registration details on the IEC website, and also go to their local municipal council offices if their details have changed.

Crime and Violent Protests

The NWC expressed its concern regarding the high rate of violence in communities across the country, including violence perpetrated by gangsters and organized crime syndicates.

The NWC noted with concern growing numbers of community protests that turn violent, often hijacked by criminal elements under the guise of genuine grievances of communities.

key to participatory governance, and our deployees at this level, working with district, provincial and national government, must make this a reality.

Free State Provincial Executive Committee

The NWC received a report from the National Officials on engagements with the ANC Free State province following the judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal that set aside the Free State Provincial Conference held on 18 — 19 May 2018.

The NWC endorsed the recommendation by the National Officials that priority must be given to pursuing political solutions that will build a united and vibrant ANC in the Free State. Former ANC Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has been requested to lead engagements aimed at building a united structure in the province.

Implementation of Resolutions and Guidelines on Stepping Side

The NWC recalled the decision of the NEC on 26 — 29 March 2021 that all members who have been charged with corruption or other serious crimes must step aside within 30 days, failing which they should be suspended in terms of Rule 25.70 of the ANC Constitution.

The NWC noted that provinces have been requested to submit, by Thursday, 15 April 2021, the names of those members who have been charged with corruption or other serious crimes. Provinces have also been requested to inform affected members of the decision of the NEC.

The NWC further noted that provinces have been requested to make comments on the implementation of the Guidelines and Procedures and the proposed Terms and Conditions for Stepping Aside by Thursday, 15 April 2021 and that the National Officials through a team lead by the Treasurer General will consolidate and process these inputs and report to the NWC.

The NWC noted that, as reported to the NEC, the Secretary General, Cde Ace Magashule, will embark on a process of seeking the counsel of past leaders of the movement.

The NWC noted that further to the decision of the NEC on 26 — 29 March 2021, that reports of the Integrity Commission dealing with individual members are being processed.

Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture

The NEC on 26 — 29 March 2021 reaffirmed the decision of the 54th National Conference to support the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry into allegations of state capture. It reiterated its support for the work of the Commission and called on all ANC members and supporters — and indeed all members of society — to assist the Commission in its work.

The NWC noted that the National Chairperson Comrade Gwede Mantashe will appear before the Commission on Wednesday, 14 April 2021 and that President Cyril Ramaphosa will be appearing on 28 — 29 April 2021.

Commemoration of Heroes and Heroines of the Struggle

April is an important month for our movement, with so many of our heroes and heroines born in this month or who passed on during this month. The NWC appreciated the countrywide commemorations of the passing of cde Winnie Madikizela Mandela on 2 April, the commemoration of the life of Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu on 6 April; the celebrations of the birth — 150 years ago — of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke on 7 April, and the commemorations of the assassination of ANC and SACP leader and icon, Chris Hani on 10 April 2021. The lives of these icons continue to inspire confidence that we will indeed succeed as a nation to build a better life for all.

New NWC Members

The NWC welcomed Comrade Gwen Ramokgopa, newly elected to the NWC at the last NEC, and Comrade Nonceba Mhlauli, Convenor of the ANC Youth League National Conference Preparatory Committee, to the NWC.

Issued by the African National Congress National Working Committee, 14 April 2021